• COLUMBUS – The following Mississippi University for Women students were recognized on the Dean’s List for the spring 2012 semester: Ellen Bell and Danielle Pitre, both of Macon; Crystal Brown of Lauderdale; Carmel Crain, Shunda Hardaway and Britley White, all of Meridian; Kimberly Eldridge and Caitlin Sollie, both of Collinsville; David Fulton, Amber Madison and Kyndall Rushing, all of Philadelphia; Latoria Lewis of Toomsuba; Jacqueline Lowery and Terrisha Mayberry, both of Macon; Leif Miller and Emilee Smith, both of Union; Rachel Rigdon of Quitman; and Lindsey Seawright of Waynesboro.To qualify for the Dean’s List, the student must be enrolled full-time and have a quality point average of 3.5 to 3.99 on a 4.0 scale.

    •   OXFORD – Meredith Leigh Wilson of Meridian is among 70 University of Mississippi students recently initiated into Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious undergraduate honors organization in the liberal arts.

Wilson is an English major in the College of Liberal Arts. She is a member of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. Her other academic honors include membership in Phi Kappa Phi, the university’s highest academic honor across all disciplines, and she was presented with a Taylor Medal, the university’s highest academic award.

    Her parents are James and Rhonda Wilson.

    • CLINTON – The Office of Academic Affairs for Mississippi College has released its list of academic scholars for the 2012 spring semester. 

Named from the local area to the President’s List are Ellen Taylor Gressett, Kayla Michelle Allen and Taylor Joseph Mabry, all of Meridian.

To be eligible for the President’s List, a student must maintain a 4.0 grade point average, based on a 4.0 system. The student must take a full course load of at least 12 semester hours of undergraduate credit with all academic courses impacting their grade point average.

    Named from the local area to the Dean’s List are Briana M. Ricker, Morgan Elise Barber, Kristina Chambers, Sarah Elizabeth Fouts, John Ross McCarty, Andrew Nathaniel Sheely and Harrison Davis Thomas, all of Meridian; and Grant Collin Whittington of Collinsville.

    To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must maintain a 3.5 or better grade point average, based on a 4.0 system. The student must take a full course load of at least 12 semester hours of undergraduate credit with all academic courses impacting their grade point average.

    • OXFORD – The following University of Mississippi students are listed on the Chancellor’s Honor Roll for the spring 2012 semester. For the honor, a grade-point average of from 3.75 through 4.0 is required of full-time students carrying at least 12 semester hours:

    Kaley Brooke Hull, Mary McCall White, Erika Rachel Watson, Meredith Leigh Wilson, William David McArthur, Allison Leigh Lucovich, Margaret Lowery Cady, Henry Ferrell Hooper, Matthew Todd Kiefer, Emily Teresa`Roland, Henry Ian Davis, Mary Lawrence Love, Mary Paige Griffin and Amber Mechelle James, all of Meridian; Jacob Blake Daniels and William Redmond Abbey, both of Bailey; David Scott May and Elijah Edward Allen, both of Collinsville; Heather Leigh Hasselle of Marion; Colton Jordan Herrington, of Enterprise; Michael Andrew Kennedy and Rebecca Jean Clark, both of Quitman; Sidney Jackson Williams and Samira Nadia Abunemeh, both of Philadelphia; Elizabeth Anne Bennett, Elizabeth Ann McNair and Shelby Hannah Smith, all of Union.

    The following University of Mississippi students are listed on the Dean’s Honor Roll for the spring 2012 semester. For the honor, a grade-point average of from 3.50 through 3.74 is required of full-time students carrying at least 12 semester hours:

Sunny Caliste Rush, Chad William Bounds, Brianna Charlee Adkins, Samra Blake Ward, Cody Scott Berrey, McKenzie Leigh Griffin, Caroline Dimmitt Compton, William Craig Dungan, all of Meridian; Mary Lela Valentine of Marion; Ellie Elizabeth Turner of Enterprise; Gerald  Waltman and Samuel David McDonald, both of Quitman; Thomas Andrew Webb, Jon  Hillman, Mollie Clair McKay, Brandi Mae Mathes, Rachel Elizabeth Thomas, Joshua Lamon Smith, Kaitlin Ida Manning and Bethany Rose Kinney, all of Philadelphia; Lacey Anne Gilmore, Adam G. Brooks, Jennifer Leigh McNair and James Merrill Cassel, all of Union.

    • COLUMBUS – The following students were among the 113 scholars who attended Mississippi Governor’s School (MGS) held on the campus of Mississippi University for Women this summer: Kimberly Sanford and Shurnita Shope, both of Clarke County; Timothy Davis, Ayla Porter and Emma Reeves, all of Lauderdale County; Terrence Curry, Andrew Dendis and Benjamin Killen, all of Newton County; and Holly Cochran of Wayne County.

    • DECATUR – Several area high school graduating seniors were awarded scholarships to East Central Community College at the annual AT&T Scholarship Awards Program held in Huff Auditorium. A luncheon was held in Mabry Memorial Cafeteria following the awards ceremony.

    During the 2012 event, 136 students received 111 endowed or annual scholarships totaling approximately $74,000 in value. Local honorees were: Kennedy Castleberry, a graduate of Clarkdale High School,  recipient of the Pleas Clayton and Nancy Breazeale Blount Scholarship; Colt Killen, a graduate of Neshoba Central High School, recipient of the Dan Harrison Rush Health Systems Memorial Scholarship; and Madison Herrington, a graduate of Union High School, recipient of the Wallace Strickland Rush Health Systems Scholarship

    • ATLANTA, Ga. – The following area residents graduated from Mercer University at the Mercer’s spring commencement ceremony on the University’s Atlanta Campus on May 12: Kimberly Knox of Meridian, Miss., bachelor of business administration degree from the Eugene W. Stetson School of Business & Economics; and Susan Goines of Butler, Ala., master of science degree from the College of Continuing & Professional Studies.

    • The University of Southern Mississippi has released its President’s and Dean’s Lists for the 2012 spring semester.

The President’s List includes full-time students who earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average (all As). Dean’s List scholars are those with at least a 3.5 grade point average, but less than a 4.0.

    Students recognized from the local area include:

    Hattiesburg Campus

Elizabeth Ann Kiehn; Dean’s List: Kylie Breanna Rowell and Deondra Smith

    Collinsville – President’s List: Lydia Sue Burns, Holly M. Jones Thomas and Ashley Brooke Thrash; Dean’s List: Keri Beth Graham, Marcus  Martin and Chandra Renae Sumlin-Brown

    Daleville – Dean’s List: Matthew R. Griffin

    Decatur – President’s List: Kyle Leon Ethridge

    Hickory – President’s List: Dylan Matthew Harris

    Lauderdale – President’s List: Paul Judson Tate; Dean’s List: Marshall Lee Howse 

    Lawrence – President’s List: Timothy  Seibel

    Marion – Dean’s List: Kelvin Lewis Bramlett

    Meridian – President’s List: Amie Nicole Clayton, Elizabeth Harris Fisher, Kara Drew Irby, Kimberly Thompson Meador, Justin Allen Palmer, Trent Ross Patterson, Kathryn Elizabeth Rawlings, Erin Leigh Scruggs, Audrey Elizabeth Sollie and Cononiah Latrece Watson; Dean’s List: Cory Brown, Brandi Scarbrough Carmichael, Olivia Clair Chisolm, Sara Elizabeth Courtney, Amber Leigh Craven, Jessica L. Fielder, Kimberly L. Gaddis, Ryan Lamar Gressett, Kelsey Lynn Kern, Ashley Nicole Kyler, Nicholas Metts, Cady Alexander Pace, Benjamin Joseph Pearson, Rachel Katherine Reeves, James Slater, David A. Threatt, Baleigh Deanna Volking and Kristina B. Weil

    Newton – President’s List: Adrienne Elizabeth McDill;         Dean’s List:

Casey J. Sharp 

    Oxford – President’s List: Katherine Bonita Kramer;         Dean’s List:

Lauren Elaine Mistilis

    Toomsuba – President’s List: Aubree Ann Gaines and Dalton Allen Newell;

    Dean’s List: Ashlyn Nicole Newell and Dequarios Quazion Overstreet

Online

    Collinsville – Dean’s List: Chandra Renae Sumlin-Brown

    Decatur – President’s List: Ryan M. Loper

    Lauderdale – President’s List: Mildred D. Holloway Turner

    Meridian – President’s List: Wendie Jo Alsobrooks

    Dean’s List: Sherren Shanta Smith 

    • BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The following area residents graduated from Samford University during spring commencement: Mary Angela Britton of Philadelphia, doctor of nurse practice; Tyler Davin DeLoach of Stonewall, bachelor of science; and Brandi Lynn Freeman of Waynesboro, doctor of pharmacy.

    • Myleia Shirley Holifield is a new office associate in the Division of Education at Mississippi State University-Meridian.

A graduate of Meridian Community College, Holifield is a resident of Chunky. She is married to Steven Holifield of Laurel and has one daughter, Brooklyn, and a step-son, Keeton. She coaches a girls 18 and under softball team in Chunky and enjoys spending time with her family and attending Northcrest Baptist Church.

    • Jeff Wilbur joined Mississippi State University as Information Systems manager. He was previously chief Information officer at West Virginia University at Parkersburg.

Wilbur earned his bachelor of arts degree in information systems from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla., and a master of education degree in instructional technology from the University of South Florida in Tampa.

    He and his wife, TJ, have one daughter, Jennifer. He enjoys riding his Harley and trap & skeet shooting.

    • Nakisha Woods joined MSU-Meridian as Admissions/Registration assistant. She was previously employed at Kemper County Chancery Clerk’s office and most recently at Hampton & Associates Law Office.

    A resident of Preston, Woods earned a bachelor of business administration degree in business administration from Mississippi State University-Meridian in 2006.  

    Woods enjoys shopping, traveling, social networking, and spending time with family and friends.

    • Alli Lewis joined Mississippi State University-Meridian as an office associate in the business office.

    A resident of Lake, Lewis is a May 2012 graduate of MSU-Meridian with a bachelor of business administration degree in business administration. She is married to Corey Lewis and enjoys cooking, spending time with family and shopping.

    • Sherry Gant joined Mississippi State University-Meridian as an office associate in the Education Division and works with the MAT-S/LEAP program.  

    Gant recently moved to Meridian from Corinth, where she was project assistant for the Corinth School District.  

    She and her husband, Chris, have four children, and in her spare time she enjoys reading, traveling, cooking and spending time with her family.

    • Tomaryion L. Yarbrough has been selected to receive the A.D. Burdette Scholarship at Meridian Community College. 

    This $1,700 award is funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established in 1991 by Anna Burdette as a memorial tribute to her husband. “Red” Burdette served on the Meridian Separate School Board during the time MCC was located on the Meridian High School campus. He had a strong commitment to education and to the community. A veteran of World War I, Burdette served as president of the Meridian Kiwanis Club and chairman of what is now the United Way.

    Yarbrough, a 2010 graduate of Louisville High School, graduated with honors from MCC’s Cosmetology Program, is a member of the MCC Gospel Choir and on the Campus Activities Board. Currently, Yarbrough is in the University Transfer Program and plans to continue her education and receive a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

    • Haley Parker has been selected to receive the C. B. Bailey Scholarship at Meridian Community College. 

This $2,000 award is funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established by the Board of Directors of Home Federal Savings and Loan Association, which is now BankPlus. Bailey served as the manager and president of Home Federal from its opening in 1955 until his retirement in 1992.

    Parker is a 2012 honors graduate of West Lauderdale High School, where she was a member of the National Junior Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars. A first semester university transfer student, Parker plans to become a member of the Ivy League Student Recruiters at MCC. She will continue her education through the master’s level in biological studies and specialize in genetics.

    • Savannah J. Welch has been selected to receive the Big and Ham Sanders Scholarship at Meridian Community College. 

    This $1,500 award is funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established by The Sanders Family. Mr. Sanders initiated this endowment by requesting his family make contributions to the fund at MCC rather than give him birthday, Christmas or Father’s Day gifts. Mrs. Sanders completed the endowment after Mr. Sanders’ death in 1991.

    Welch, a 2011 graduate of Ethel High School, is a sophomore in the University Transfer Program at MCC. She is a President’s List scholar and a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year college students. Her goal is to transfer to Mississippi State University to study criminology with an emphasis in Homeland Security. 

    • Luke Tanner Stanley has been selected to receive the Dr. George and Ettamac Bounds Memorial Scholarship at Meridian Community College. This $1,400 award is funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established by Dr. and Mrs. Lemann Bounds as a tribute to his parents. Drs. George Bounds and Lemann Bounds both practiced medicine in Meridian specializing in the treatment of the ear, nose and throat.

    Stanley, a 2011 Principal’s list graduate of Meridian High School, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year college students and is on the MCC Eagle’s Baseball Team. He is currently undecided on a major, but plans to continue his education at a four-year university after graduating from MCC.

    • Sherita Danelle Boyd has been selected to receive the A.D.N. Scholarship at Meridian Community College. 

This $1,500 award is funded through the MCC Foundation.

    Boyd, a 2005 honors graduate of West Lauderdale High School, graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in biology.  A  third semester nursing student, she is a member of the Organization of Student Nurses and the Mississippi Organization for Associate Degree Nursing. Boyd plans to continue her education in the nursing field and become a nurse practitioner in pediatrics.

    • Morgan Jeanette McQueen was selected to receive the C.B. “Dough” and Alice Rawlings Scholarship at Meridian Community College. 

    This $1,200 award is funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established by Norma Rawlings Webb. Webb chose this means to pay tribute to her parents who were both involved in civic and sports activities in the Meridian area for many years. Webb died in January of this year.  Because of her generosity, students attending MCC for years to come will have help with the costs of college. Webb also established the Norma Rawlings Webb Endowment and the Tommy Webb Endowment.

    McQueen is a 2011 graduate of Laurel High School, where she was a member of the Future Leaders, Beta Club and on the varsity cheerleading squad. She is in the Dental Hygiene Program at MCC. Her plans are to continue her education at the University of Mississippi.

    • Chloe Ashley has been selected to receive the Clare L. Reynolds Memorial Nursing Scholarship at Meridian Community College. 

    This $800 award is funded through the MCC Foundation.

Chloe is a 2010 highest honors graduate of Mize High School. She is a third semester nursing student, a member of the Organization of Student Nurses and the Mississippi Organization for Associate Degree Nursing.

        Chloe plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing while working as a Critical Care Unit nurse.

   • SaKeria Lynstarya Fielder has been selected to receive the Keli Breanne Brown Memorial Scholarship at Meridian Community College. 

    This $300 award is funded through the MCC Foundation from a fund established by family and friends. In October 2008, 16-year-old Keli died in an automobile accident. She is remembered as an intelligent, popular young lady who loved life. Her personal motto was “Live Your Life…and Smile.” She had planned to attend Meridian Community College to pursue a degree in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. Ryan Brown initiated this scholarship in memory of his precious sister.

 Fielder is a 2012 high honors graduate of West Lauderdale High School,  where she was a member the Health Occupation Students of America and placed first in the state HOSA competition. Fielder is currently in the LPN Program at MCC as a dual enrollment student. Her plans are to continue her education in the nursing field and become a registered nurse.     

• Jeremy Decarlos Dubose has been selected to receive the Richard F. Riley, M.D. Scholarship at Meridian Community College.

This $2,000 award is funded through the MCC Foundation from an endowment established by Mary Ann Bonney Riley. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II and completing his residency at the University of Virginia, Dr. Riley began the practice of general surgery in Meridian in the early ‘50s. After retiring, he and his brother established The Riley Foundation in 1998. The community will continue to benefit from his service and philanthropy for years to come.

 After attending Northeast High School, Dubose completed his GED at Meridian Community College. A third semester student of the Associate Degree Nursing Program, Dubose is a Deans List scholar, a member of the Organization of Student Nursing, the Mississippi Organization of Associate Degree Nursing and Phi Beta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year college students. His career goal is to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.